Oberholtzer goes the distance in shutout of Mariners

Rookie lefthander Brett Oberholtzer shut out the Mariners on four hits Sunday afternoon, and back-to-back doubles by Jose Altuve and Jason Castro plus a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by pinch hitter Brandon Barnes lifted the Astros to a 2-0 win that salvaged the finale of a four-game series before 17,203 at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros were handcuffed through seven innings by Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, who allowed six hits with seven strikeouts, but broke through in the eighth against reliever Charlie Furbush.

Altuve, who had been held to two hits in 12 at-bats in the first three games against the Mariners, sent a bouncer just inside the first base bag to lead off the eighth with a double. Castro followed by taking Furbush to the warning track in right center field, and the ball bounced into the Astros’ bullpen to score Altuve on the ground rule double.

Castro advanced to third on Matt Dominguez’s fly to medium right field for the first out, and Astros manager Bo Porter sent in Barnes to hit for first baseman Brett Wallace. Barnes’ first attempt at the squeeze went foul, but his second attempt to the first base side of the mound brought Castro home with the second run of the inning, and Barnes reached when the Mariners failed to cover first, clapping his hands as he crossed the bag.

That was plenty for Oberholtzer, who retired 11 of the last 12 hitters he faced to produce the Astros’ first complete game shutout of the season.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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<center><b>Sept. 1: Astros 2, Mariners 0</center></b> Astros starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer is doused by his teammates after pitching a complete game shutout against the Seattle Mariners. less

<center><b>Sept. 1: Astros 2, Mariners 0</center></b> Astros starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer is doused by his teammates after pitching a complete game shutout against the Seattle ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer smiles after getting a towel of shaving cream to the face from pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Astros starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer smiles after getting a towel of shaving cream to the face from pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer is congratulated by catcher Jason Castro after the final out.

Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer is congratulated by catcher Jason Castro after the final out.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Brett Oberholtzer looks for a sign as he pitches in the ninth inning.

Brett Oberholtzer looks for a sign as he pitches in the ninth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Fans cheer Brett Oberholtzer as he takes the mound in the ninth inning of a complete game shutout.

Fans cheer Brett Oberholtzer as he takes the mound in the ninth inning of a complete game shutout.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Brett Oberholtzer is congratulated by manager Bo Porter after the shutout.

Brett Oberholtzer is congratulated by manager Bo Porter after the shutout.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve doubles to start a rally in the eighth inning. Altuve doubled and scored in the inning as the Astros broke open a scoreless tie for a 2-0 victory.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve doubles to start a rally in the eighth inning. Altuve doubled and scored in the inning as the Astros broke open a scoreless tie for a 2-0 victory.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pinch hitter Brandon Barnes celebrates on his way to first base after he put down a bunt to score Jason Castro from third base during the eighth inning.

Astros pinch hitter Brandon Barnes celebrates on his way to first base after he put down a bunt to score Jason Castro from third base during the eighth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma pitches during the third inning.

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma pitches during the third inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin flips to shortstop Brad Miller to force Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve at second base for the final out of the fifth inning.

Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin flips to shortstop Brad Miller to force Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve at second base for the final out of the fifth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar dives for a single off the bat of Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales during the fourth inning.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar dives for a single off the bat of Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales during the fourth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pinch hitter Brandon Barnes puts down a bunt to score Jason Castro from third base during the eighth inning.

Astros pinch hitter Brandon Barnes puts down a bunt to score Jason Castro from third base during the eighth inning.